PepsiCo bottler stops operations in Mexico towns due to violent gangs
The company says it can no longer ‘guarantee the security of its people and its supply chain’; a few months ago, Coca-Cola Femsa did the same citing criminal groups and lack of police response
Mexico City — An exclusive bottler of PepsiCo is halting operations in a Mexican town where it has become too dangerous to operate, almost three months after rival Coca-Cola Femsa did the same. The company, Grupo Gepp, suspended beverage-distribution operations in Ciudad Altamirano, about 275km south-west of Mexico City, "to guarantee the security of its people and its supply chain", PepsiCo said in an e-mailed statement. "PepsiCo respects Grupo Gepp’s decision." In a separate statement, Grupo Gepp, which bottles and distributes beverages for PepsiCo in Mexico, said the closure was temporary. On Monday, Mexico City daily El Financiero reported on its website that gangs are shaking businesses down in the area and the company hasn’t been able to guarantee the safety of its employees. Ciudad Altamirano, located in the south-western state of Guerrero, has experienced a surge of violence in recent years. Coca-Cola Femsa, Latin America’s largest soft drink bottler, announced similar measu...
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